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Prince Edward Island is a land of contrasts. You'll find stretches of vibrant green farmlands as well as thriving urban centers and tourism sites related to real historical events and fictional characters. The British settlers called this land Prince Edward Island Canada after Edward, the Duke of Kent. Besides being the island's namesake, he was Queen Victoria's father. Many centuries later, his little island, the birthplace of the Canadian Federation and Anne of Green Gables, has grown into an interesting place to visit. This island seeped in history and culture may be small, but it's big on things to do.

Travelers have many choices on how to arrive on Prince Edward Island Canada, whether they're planning to spend a week in Charlottetown, a few days looking for Anne of Green Gables, or a vacation filled with outdoor adventure. You could hop aboard one of the regular flights to Charlottetown—direct flights are available from Ottawa and Toronto in Ontario, as well as Montreal, and Halifax. In the summer, the schedule expands to include flights from Detroit, Boston's Logan Airport, and the JFK airport in New York City.

If you're planning to do some island hopping, you can travel to Prince Edward Island aboard one of the ferries. Service is readily available from Nova Scotia, and the ferry companies offer a variety of vacation packages that save travelers time and money. Another ferry company connects PEI with the nearby Magdalen Islands, which are technically a part of France.

Many PEI visitors choose to travel by land rather than by sea or air, and they first arrive on the island after a drive along the Confederation Bridge. This engineering marvel twists for eight miles from New Brunswick to PEI along the Northumberland Straight, making travel in the Maritime Provinces much easier.

Many vacationers spend some time in main city, Charlottetown, named for the wife of King George III, Queen Charlotte. The road to the creating the Confederation of Canada wound through this city, and today the Confederation Centre for the Arts serves as one of the best places to connect with the city's historical and creative side. This year-round attraction is home to an art gallery, theater stages, a gift shop, and Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. Going strong for decades, this play brings to life to the story of the plucky red-headed, a tale which was set in a place that looks very much like Prince Edward Island Canada.

Nearby, you can start a walking tour, led by one of the costumed Confederation Players. The troupe is based at Founders Hall, a heritage site tracing the history of Canada from its founding on PEI up to the creation of the newest territory Nunavut in 1999. The city of Charlottetown also is home to many of the fixtures you'd expect in a city—boutique shopping, waterfront dining, and thriving nightlife. After dark, the pubs and theaters are especially lively.

Prince Edward Island

Outside of Charlottetown, one of the most visited sites is the Green Gables House, a part of Prince Edward Island National Park. Visitors can see where author L.M. Montgomery was inspired to write the beloved tales, as they take tours, listen to the park rangers, and see the exhibits. Anne's fans also enjoy a visit to Avonlea Village, a lovely little site that brings Anne's world to life.

Charlottetown and Avonlea are just the beginning of what you can experience in Prince Edward Island. You'll also find numerous opportunities for appreciating the great outdoors, whether on the golf course or in a kayak. The Confederation Trail offers miles and miles of paved surfaces for hiking and bicycling through some dramatic landscapes. Some visitors are especially delighted by the agriculturally and seafood bounty that appears on plates and in glasses in restaurants around the province.